It wasn’t just fun and games at the 11th annual Swamp Fest in Land O’ Lakes.
There was music, food, rides and entertainment, too.
“It was incredible weather. We had good crowds,” said Doug Hutchinson, festival coordinator.
“Friday night and Saturday night were incredibly busy, and Sunday was very busy,” he said.
The crowds were so large, the main parking area was filled at Land O’ … [Read more...]

The idea of bringing a community together to have fun, while raising money, is nothing new.
Swamp Fest, an annual event, has been doing that for 11 years, in Land O’ Lakes.
Festivities begin with a preview evening on Oct. 31. The festival runs through Nov. 3.
The event raises money for area schools, nonprofits and community, as well as benefiting businesses. It is hosted by the Land … [Read more...]

When the dumpster arrives at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, that’s a sure sign that the carnival equipment to set up the Midway is soon to follow, according to Doug Hutchinson, coordinator for the Land O’ Lakes SwampFest.
SwampFest 2017 will feature a few new twists, according to Hutchinson, the longtime coordinator of the community fair.
First off, the event will be using Heritage Stage, the … [Read more...]

SwampFest, hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club, gives kids and adults a chance to have fun — but also helps raise money to benefit the high school and other local organizations.
This year, the event will feature a new carnival company, said Doug Hutchinson, SwampFest coordinator.
“It’s going to be Arnold Amusements. They’re a family oriented, family owned, … [Read more...]

This weekend's Swamp Fest has actually been two years in the making.
But the organizers weren't behind schedule.
The event had to skip a year because of renovations underway at Land O' Lakes Community Park, 5401 Land O' Lanes Blvd.
That $2.4 million project is now complete and the park is ready for Swamp Fest again, which will be held Oct. 30 through Nov.1.
This year, the festival … [Read more...]

For nearly 30 years, Mark Ballard had a routine when it came to the Land O’ Lakes Flapjack Festival.
“The kids would go to eat the pancakes in the morning, then we would go and spend pretty much all day on the rides,” he said. “Then we could go home and come back again at night.”
Ballard lives on what was once the festival’s parade route, and he would take his children — and later his … [Read more...]

What’s Happening

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer floating candle jar kits on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., to be picked up curbside. The kit will include one floating candle, a glass jar, and instructions on how to make your own luminary. Supplies are limited. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will provide a fairy jar kit on June 9, all day, for adults only. To see the prerecorded video, visit the library’s Facebook page. For information and current branch hours, call (352) 567-3576. … [Read More...]

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a curbside pickup for a Tinkering Tuesday kit on June 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The theme will be Healthy Habits. On the library’s Facebook page, there will be event links for the instructions to the experiments and activities, as well as other resources. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Virtual SRC: Ultimate Block Party on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with Minecraft activities. Register through the library with your email to receive the Zoom link to attend. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host a virtual event, “Teens: Trashy Art,” on June 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., for grades eight to 12. Participants can be creative using acrylic paint. Kits will be provided. Email Danielle Lee at *protected email* in advance, for the link. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host “Storytime By the Sea: Pirates and Mermaids” on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., using Zoom, for ages up to 5 years old. Kids can listen to stories and sing songs, and make a sand sensory bottle with seashells, sand, stones and jewels (kits to be provided). For information and for access to the event, email Danielle Lee at *protected email*. … [Read More...]